Emulsifiers are molecules that stabilize mixtures of water and oil, essential for creating emulsions in food and personal care products. While they serve various beneficial uses, such as enhancing nutrient delivery and product stability, studies suggest they may have toxic effects, including gut bacteria alteration, obesity link, and potential for allergies and gastrointestinal issues. Common types include anionics, non-ionics, cationics, and amphoterics, with examples like lecithin and carrageenan.

1. Toxic effects Of Emulsifiers
Submitted to:
Ashish Sir
Submitted By:
Gazal Sharma
ICG201315000

2. What Are Emulsifiers?
• An emulsifier is a molecule with one oil-friendly and one
water-friendly end.
• Water friendly end in food emulsifier is called hydrophilic tail
and oil-friendly end is called hydrophobic head.
• Food emulsifiers are also called emulgents.
• They make it possible for water and oil to become finely
dispersed in each other, creating a stable, homogenous,
smooth “Emulsion”.
• Simple emulsions consist of either oil suspended in water or
water suspended in oil.

3. How Does Emulsifiers Work?
• Emulsifiers reduce the surface tension
between two immiscible phases due to their
molecular structure. They have both a polar
group with an affinity for water (Hydrophilic)
and a non-polar group with an affinity for oil
(Lipophilic).

4. Structure of an Emulsion:

5. Types Of Emulsifiers :
• On the basis of their hydrophilic groups, there are
basically four categories of natural food
emulsifiers and emulsifiers. These are :
Anionics
Non-ionics
Cationics
Amphoterics
• Common emulsifiers include ethoxylated alcohols
(EU), carboxylates (EU), glyceryl monostearate
(EU), acetyl alcohol (EU), stearyl alcohol (EU) and
silicone emulsifiers (EU).

6. Uses Of Emulsifiers:
• Emulsifiers keep suspended droplets of water in oil or oil in
water from fusing together and breaking the emulsion.
• Nutraceutical emulsions are used to deliver supplements,
vitamins and other nutraceuticals to the body.
• Lotions, creams and conditioners are examples of common
personal care emulsions.
• Lecithin is an emulsifier that helps in breakdown of fat and
its subsequent removal from body and helps prevent
gallstones. It is also useful in proper functioning of brain.
• In the metallurgical processes, the concentration of ore by
forth floatation process is based upon the treatment of the
powdered ore with oil emulsion.

7. Toxic Effects of Emulsifiers:
• Mouse study suggests that emulsifiers alter gut
bacteria, leading to the inflammatory bowel
condition “Colitis”.
• Emulsifiers are found to be linked with the
condition of Obesity.
• Some emulsifiers,like Carrageenan, can cause
peptic ulcers.
• Use of excessive amount of Guar Gum powder
may cause obstruction in oesophagus.
• Many emulsifiers can cause allergies.

8. Reference:
• http://www.thebigger.com/chemistry/surface-
chemistry/what-are-the-applications-of-
emulsions-also-give-the-harmful-effects-of-
emulsions/
• http://www.nature.com/news/food-
preservatives-linked-to-obesity-and-gut-disease-
1.16984
• http://www.chemistryindustry.biz/emulsifiers.ht
ml
• http://www.naturecures.co.uk/foodadditives.htm